Nigeria bolsters Gambia’s higher education: Minister Gomez secures key partnerships in Abuja

In a significant boost for The Gambia’s higher education sector, Nigeria has pledged critical support to aid the transformation of the University of Education, The Gambia (UEG). The commitment was made during a week-long working visit by The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, to Nigeria.

As part of the visit, the Nigerian Government, through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), agreed to provide five senior professors to UEG, formerly Gambia College, to support the university’s development and academic excellence.

Prof. Gomez also engaged with the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, securing a commitment for the provision of a consultant to develop The Gambia’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy. Additionally, ECOWAS, through its Piloted Youth Internship Programme, will fund one-year TVET internships for Gambian students, covering their stipends throughout the program.

On the sidelines of his engagements, the Minister met with TITA Universal Services Ltd, an Abuja-based IT firm specializing in AI-driven educational solutions. TITA offers a mobile application that generates AI-powered timetables, enables course registration, tracks CGPAs, facilitates assignment submissions, and supports academic discussions. The platform, designed to streamline university administration and enhance student experience, will be available at no cost to Gambian institutions.

Following the discussions, Prof. Gomez invited TITA to The Gambia to officially launch the application, further advancing the country’s digital education landscape.

The Minister’s visit, which took place from February 24 to 27, 2025, marks a step forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and The Gambia in the areas of education, research, and technology.